I am visiting family in Cupertino, CA in January since San Francisco is close, I thought I'd take a day and drive there to explore the fabric stores there. I've looked at the store reviews there and it seems Britex, Discount Fabric, Satin Moon and the Ribbonrie are a must. Are there any other hidden gems? Or perhaps you live close to Cupertino and there are some cool stores there too.

Oh, and what about yarn stores? Any suggestions? I am excited! I am going to go there with my camera and a speaker and intend to have lots of fun. Oh and not to forget the backpack so I can store all the goodies and have both hands free.

Thai Silks is in Los Altos, between Cupertino & SF. There's also Stonemountain and Daughter and Laci's in the East Bay. There's supposed to be a good outlet-type fabric store in San Jose whose name I've forgotten, hopefully someone else will chime in.

(I would recommend public transit, if at all possible, for the stuff in the city.)

The little gem in San Jose is Fabrics R Us. I stop by there almost weekly on my way home to the east bay. It's not very organized and nothing is labeled, but you can find some great deals in there and they have a huge selection.

Hi Deepika,
I would love to show you Fabrics R US on Berryessa Rd which is right by the Flea market. Which will be closing down soon so that might be fun to go to too, They have fabric stalls too. I also reviewed a new Yarn/ fabric store in Santa Clara, I reviewed under store reviews. I told the store owner Jen all about you and the website. The store is called Bobbin's Nest Studio. If you want there are several of us in the bay area that would love to meet up with you. I live right by Fab r us. I am off f- sun.

Across the street from Fabrics R Us (on the King Street side) is a fabulous egg roll place called King Egg Roll. Sixty cents buys you the best egg roll in town. When you go to Fabrics R Us remember to stop by their extension store in the same parking lot. It is mostly home dec fabric there but you also can find some beaded chiffons, wools, silkies and taffetas along with more trims that don't fit in the primary store. Be prepared with cash and you get a 4% additional discount. This is a store where you need to explore the overfilled aisles as things aren't organized well and the aisles are only wide enough for one person to walk down. Also note that English isn't the first language spoken here so you may not get your questions answered. Prices generally aren't on the merchandise but any of the employees can tell you what the costs are on any item. I have found many fabrics here that were in RTW garments in the same season. You can get some awesome fabrics and deals if you keep your eyes open and explore all areas even the upper shelves.

Deepika, that's so exciting! I lived in the Cuperino-San Jose-Los Altos area for *Many* years. I still have family living there & get back at least 2 or 3 times a year. If you do go into San Francisco during your visit I'd suggest you also make contact with the Sewing Workshop. They are wonderful & probably would have some suggestions on where to go that we might not think of.

Many of my favorite fabric & notions stores are now history, sorry to say! But Britex -- HolyMoly, fabric-lovers Paradise! Maybe you could explore the area with an eye to a future PR West-Coast Weekend Getaway!?!

I certainly endorse the suggestions already made. If you let us know as soon as you have finalized your travel dates I'll see if I can get away at the same time. I'd love to drive down then & get a chance to meet you as well as some of the other PR community in my old home town. (To say nothing of getting around to some of my old haunts!)

Wow, this strikes me as the perfect antidote to the Post-Holiday Doldrums!

I would love to see this happen!

ETA: San Francisco has a wonderful public transportation system. That's because it's contained in a very small area for the size of the population. Also, it's old & not able to accommodate two or three cars for every family! -- Edited on 12/21/07 10:51 PM --

------PVA (Pat) "A girl can't have too many scissors!"
If I don't have time to do it right, when will I have time to do it over?

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